Tire repair apparatus



1948- E. F. SHELL 2,447,035

TIRE REPAIR APPARATUS Filed Dec. 10, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet l iNVENTORELWOODE SHELL ATTORNEY Aug. 17, 1948. E. F. SHELL TIRE REPAIR APPARATUS2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 10, 1945 INVENTOR ELWOOD E SHELL ATTORNEYPatented Aug. 17, 1948 STATES.

TENT oFF (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30,1928; 370 O. G. 757) 6 Claims.

This invention relates to tire repair apparatus, and more particularlyto apparatus for vulcanizin new material in place about a damaged beadon a resilient tire.

It is an object of this invention to provide improved apparatus which isuseful in repairing tire beads.

A further object is to provide apparatus which may be used to repair atire bead by vulcanizing new material into place along damaged portionsof the bead.

Still another object is to provide apparatus of the character describedabove, which is adjustable for use in the repair of beads on tires ofvarying size.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the present invention, Ihave provided improved details of structure, preferred forms of whichare illustrated in the accompanying drawings, where Fig. 1 is a planview of a tire repair apparatus embodying the features of the presentinvention;

Fig. 2 is a View in cross section of the apparatus taken along the line2-2 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a View in cross section of the apparatus taken along the line3--3 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a modified form of apparatus embodying thefeatures of the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a view in cross section of the apparatus taken along the line55 in Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is a view in cross section of the apparatus taken along the line6-6 in Fig. 4.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

Shown at l is a substantially annular die, or support, having a flangeas viewed in cross section, adapted to fit over adjacent outerperipheral surfaces of a tire bead under repair. (A tire bead engaged bythe apparatus, and a portion of the tire, are shown in dotted outline inFigs. 2, 3, 5 and 6.) This die is split at 2 and may be expanded asdesired to fit snugly against a given tire bead under repair byadjustment of a turnbuckle 3 which is fitted across the die frompositions adjacent the split portion 2. The said turnbuckle is securedto the die by means of brackets i mounted thereon.

Mounted circumferentially about the surfaces of the die which do notengage the tire bead is a metallic steam line Which is twice doubledback along its length to form a series of coils 5, 6, and l. These coilsare so mounted that no one of them crosses the split portion 2 of thedie. The steam line includes a nozzle member 8 joined to one end of theline, and leading into the outermost of the coils, coil 5. The lattermember is soldered into place in an annular groove 9 provided in die I,and leads, in turn, into coil 6, while coil 6 leads into coil 1. Thesteam line includes an exhaust l0, having valve II, which is mounted onthe end of coil 1. Coils 6 and l are mounted against the surface of thedie I by means of clamp plates 5 2 which are secured in place on the dieby means of screws l3 (Fig. 3).

Shown at l4 (Fig. 2) is a lock ring which is shaped to fit snuglyagainst the inner surface of the tire bead. This ring, which may eitherexend entirely about the periphery of the bead, or may comprise ashorter arcuate member, should be long enough to overlie the length ofbead which is undergoing repair. It will be noted that the lock ring I4can not be expanded as can the die I; hence, a lock ring member of thecorrect predetermined shape and curvature is selected when repairing atire of a given size. In general, I prefer that the lock ring befabricated of aluminum, or other strong, heat conductive alloy.

The die I and the lock ring I4 are secured in position about the tirehead by means of clamps l5. Each clamp comprises a threaded stem member[6 having a hooked end portion l i thereon, the latter portion fittinagainst the surface of lock ring Hi opposed to that in contact with thetire bead. A flange I8 is provided on the lock ring surface to engagethe hooked end portion ll of the clamp and prevent the clamp fromsliding off on tightening.

Slidably mounted on the clamp stem 16 is a jaw member I9 which isadapted to engage the outer surface of the die I. Jaw member I9 isprovided with a groove 29 which engages the lower lip of the groove 9 onthe die, or support, I as the clamp is tightened, thereby preventing theclamp from slipping off the die. A washer 2| on stem [6, and a nut 22 inthreaded engagement on said stem, complete the clamp assembly,tightening of the clamp being effected in the normal manner bytightening the nut 22.

A modified form of apparatus is illustrated in Figs. 4, 5 and 6. Theannular tire engaging means which is here employed comprises a pair ofsemi-circular supports termed a die member 23 and a spacer member 24,which members are joined-by turnbuckles 25 and 26 through brackets 21and 28 mounted on said members. A steam line comprising semi-circularcoils 29, 30, 31 and 32, together with entrance and exhaust nozzles 33and 34, and a valve 35 in the nozzle 34, is mounted on the die 23. Thecoils 36, 3| and 32 are secured by means of clamp plates 36 and screws37 to the die 23, while coil 29 is sesurfaces of a tire bead andex'pansible in a dicured, as by soldering, within a groove 38 in saidrection to vary the effective circumference theredie. of to accommodatebeads on tires of various sizes;

A bi-metallic lock ring 39 having an inner porexpansion means associatedwith said expansible tion 40 consisting of aluminum or other metal oftire engaging means for adjustably conforming high heat conductivity andan outer portion 4! the same to urge the same into circumferential madeup of steel or other strong metal, is emengagement with said outersurfaces of said tire ployed about the inner periphery of the tire beadbead; a second tire engaging means shaped to in the same manner as wasthe lock ring I4 defit against inner surfaces of said tire bead;heatscribed hereinbefore. ing means associated with said first-mentionedClamps 42,only one of which i shown in Fig; 4," tire engaging means andadapted to heat the secure the outer tire engaging means. and the \same;and means for engaging both said tire enlock ring in a contactingposition about the bead gaging means and maintaining the same in poofthe tire as particularly shown in Fig.5. Clamp 'sitionabout a tire bead.

42 is similar to the clamp I5 hereinbefore de- 5 2.. In an apparatus ofthe character described, scribed and cOlnpIisBS a threaded stem membertire engaging means having a generally circular 43 having a hooked endportion 44, the latter configuration and shaped to fit against the outerfitting against the surface of the portion 4| of peripheral portions ofa tire bead, said means the lock ring 39 and engaging a flange 45 onsaid being expansible in a direction to vary the efring. The clamp has aslidably mounted jaw fective circumference thereof to accommodate member56 provided with a groove in which enbeads on tires of various sizes;expansion means gages an annular lip it on the die 23. A nut associatedwith said expansible tire engaging ag' nd a wa h to on th t portion 53commeans for adiustably conforming the same to urge plete the clampassembly. the same into close circumferential engagement This modifiedform of apparatus is particularly 2 with said tire bead; heating meansassociated with well adapted to the repair of tires of a relatively saidtire engaging means and adapted to heat large size since tires of thischaracter seldom the same; a second tire engaging means shaped requirerepair to more than half the periphery to fit against inner peripheralportions of said of a given bead. However, it is obvious that two tirebead; and clamp means for engagingboth steam-coil bearing dies, as 23,could well be joined said tire engaging means and maintaining themtogether were it desired that heat be supplied in a contacting positionabout said tire bead.

about the entire periphery of a given bead. 3. In an apparatus of thecharacter described, Operation a split annular support having a surfaceshaped to fit against a tire bead; heating means mounted The manner ofoperation of the app on said support; adjustment means mounted onscribed herein may be described as follows: 7 said support adjacent thesplit portion thereof The d d tiIB bead i st p p and arranged to expandthe periphery of said suptreatment in the normal manner, damaged maport;1 1 ring shaped to fit against a port-ion terial being cut away wherevernecessa y, new of said tire head which is not contacted by said cushiongum be c e ted into plac nd any support; and clamp means for maintainingsaid t rn fabric being p y st dOWIlsupport and said ring in positionagainst said tire die I (or the companion die and spacer 23 and b d 24)is then positioned about the tire bead and 4 I an apparatus of th har tde cribed, firm engag e t et n the e d t bead a split annular supporthaving a concave outer is effected by adj st e t of t e t b The 4surface shaped to fit against a tire bead; steam lock ring is thenfitted within the tire aga coil means mounted on surfaces of saidsupport t e inner surface of the bead, and, the ring is not adapted tocontact said tire bead; a turndraWn p gainst the adjacent end of thedie, as buckle mounted on said support across the split illustrated inFigs. 2 and 5, by means of the portion thereof and arranged to expand thps Steam s then i t oduced through the riphery of said support; a lockring shaped to steam line in sufiicient amount to maintain the fitagainst a portion of aid tire bead which is apparatus, and the tirebead, at the desired vu not contacted by said support; and clamp meanscanizing temperature. A temperature of about for engaging said supportand said ring and for 285 F., plus or minus 10 F., maintained for amaintaining them in position against said tire period of about one hour,normally sufiices for 55 bead. the vulcanizing and repair of most tirebeads. 5. In an apparatus of the character described,

It should be pointed out that a particular adan annular supportcomprising a pair of semivantage of using t e pparatus described hereincircular members having outer surfaces shaped is the production of arepaired tire bead having to fit against a tire bead, adjustableconnecting a perfectly round periphery without in any way means mountedbetween opposing interior surreducing the internal diameter of the tire.faces of said pair of members and arranged to While I have shown butcertain embodiments expand said support by forcing said members of myinvention, it is susceptible to further modiaway from one another, andheating means fication without departing from the spirit of the mountedon the surface of at least one of said invention. I do not Wish,therefore, to be limited pair of mber a lock ring shaped to fit againstby the disclosures set forth, but only by the scope a portion of saidtire bead which is not contacted of the appended claims. by said pair ofmembers; and clamp means for The invention described herein may bemanuengaging said support and said ring and mainfactured and used by orfor the Government of taining them in position against said tire bead.the United States of America for governmental 7o 6. In an apparatus ofthe character described,

purposes without the payment of any royalties an annular supportcomprising a pair of semithereon or therefore circular members havingouter surfaces shaped Iclaim: to fit against a tire bead, a pair ofturnbuckles 1. In an apparatus of thecharacter described, connectingsaid pair ofmembers, each turnbuckle tire engaging means shaped to fitagainst outer being mounted between opposing interior surfaces of saidmembers adjacent the ends thereof, and a steam coil means mounted onsurf-aces of said pair of members not adapted to contact said tire bead;a lock ring shaped to fit against a portion of said tire bead which inot contacted by said pair of members; and clamp means for engaging saidsupport and said ring and maintaining them in position against said tirebead.

ELWOOD F. SHELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

Number Number UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Cartier Dec. 22, 1931Corbin, Jr. Nov. 3, 1936 Kite May 16, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS Country DateGreat Britain Feb. 10, 1922 France Nov. 19, 1921

